Apparatus for processing fluid and method for producing separated fluid

ABSTRACT

PCT No. PCT/JP96/01607 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 12, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 12, 1997 PCT Filed Jun. 13, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/00120 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 3, 1997The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing fluid for separating any component mixed or dissolved in a fluid and a method for producing a separated fluid. The present invention provides an apparatus for processing fluid which does not require any complicated manifolds in such a way that a plurality of cylindrical vessels each having a plurality of flow ports on the outer peripheral surface thereof at positions near both ends thereof, respectively, and incorporating therein a series of separating elements are arranged substantially parallel to one another with the flow ports of the adjoining cylindrical vessels held connected face-to-face with each other. Further, a method for producing separated fluid at a low cost can be provided by using the above-described apparatus for processing fluid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing fluid and amethod for producing a separated fluid.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a fluid processing apparatus for seawater desalination,etc. has been constructed such that as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality ofunitary modules 10 each comprising a cylindrical vessel 1 incorporatingtherein a plurality of separating elements 2 each comprised of a pieceof reverse osmosis membrane (permeable membrane). The separating element2 is formed by spirally winding a piece of permeable membrane around acentral pipe 11 through a spacer. Thus, when seawater is supplied underpressure from a supply pipe 12 into the unitary module 10, the seawateris desalted through the separating element 2 in each stage and thelow-pressure fresh water after desalination is discharged from adischarge pipe 13 through the central pipe 11 while high-pressureconcentrated water is discharged from a discharge pipe 14.

That is, the cylindrical vessel is divided into a high-pressure spacewhere high-pressure seawater and concentrated water are present and alow-pressure space where the low-pressure fresh water is present,through the permeable membrane of each of the separating elements 2.

However, the conventional fluid processing apparatus has generally beenconstructed such that as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of unitary modules10 are fixedly arranged horizontally on frames 20 and supply pipes 12and discharge pipes 13, 14 which respectively extend from both side endsof the unitary modules 10 are collected into a manifold 22 and manifolds23, 24.

However, there has arisen the problem that since the installation of theframes 20 and the piping operation for connecting the manifolds 22, 23and 24 at the working site are extremely complicated, the cost requiredfor these operations becomes higher than the cost of the apparatusitself. Further, there has also arisen the problem that if the manifolds22, 23 and 24 are attached to both ends of the unitary modules 10, themanifolds are required to be dismantled or assembled every time wheneach of the separating elements 2 is periodically exchanged resulting inmaking the maintenance operation extremely inefficient.

Moreover, where separated fluid is produced by the above-describedprocessing apparatus, it has been usual that since high-pressureseawater or concentrated water flows through the manifolds 22 and 24,the pressure loss of these manifolds becomes significant causing theload of the related pump or the like to be quite heavy. Consequently,the availability factor of the apparatus as a whole is low and as aresult, the method of producing the separated fluid by using suchapparatus has been inefficient.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensiveapparatus for processing fluid together with its unitary module and acylindrical vessel forming such unitary module by eliminating theabove-described conventional disadvantages and improving the ease ofassembly of the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forprocessing fluid which does not require any complicated manifolds,together with its unitary module.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide aninexpensive method of producing separated fluid and a fluid processingmethod by using the above-described apparatus for processing fluid.

One mode of the cylindrical vessel of the present invention is acylindrical vessel having a plurality of flow ports on the outerperipheral surface thereof at positions near each end of said vessel,respectively, and wherein at least two of said flow ports near one sideof said vessel are so provided as to substantially correspond, inposition, to the counterparts thereof near the other end of said vesselin the circumferential direction.

Another mode of the cylindrical vessel of the present invention is acylindrical vessel having a plurality of flow ports on the outerperipheral surface thereof at positions near each end of said vessel,respectively, and wherein each of said flow ports near one end of saidvessel substantially corresponds, in position, to the counterpartsthereof near the other end of said vessel in the circumferentialdirection.

One mode of the unitary module for a fluid processing apparatus of thepresent invention is a unitary module of an apparatus for processingfluid, which contains therein a plurality of separating elements andwhich is provided with a plurality of flow ports on the outer peripheralsurface near each end thereof, respectively.

One mode of the fluid processing apparatus of the present invention isan apparatus for processing fluid comprising a plurality of cylindricalvessels having a flow port on the outer peripheral surface thereof atpositions near each end and containing therein a plurality of separatingelements arranged substantially parallel to one another within each ofsaid cylindrical vessels, so that said cylindrical vessels are assembledin such a way that flow ports of adjoining vessels are facing to, andconnected to, each other.

Another mode of the fluid processing apparatus of the present inventionis an apparatus comprising a plurality of cylindrical vessels eachcontaining a plurality of separating elements therein and having aplurality of flow ports formed on the outer peripheral surface thereofat positions near each end of said vessel, wherein said cylindricalvessels are arranged substantially parallel to one another with saidflow ports of one of the vessels facing to those of the other andwherein fluid transport pipes intersecting said cylindrical vessels areprovided between said cylindrical vessels so as to join with the flowports near both ends of each of said cylindrical vessels, respectively,and said flow ports and said fluid transport pipes are connected onface-to-face basis with one another.

The flow of fluid to be processed by the fluid processing apparatususing the cylindrical vessels according to the present invention is asfollows:

The fluid is supplied into one of the cylindrical vessels from the firstflow port near one end of the cylindrical vessel and a part of the fluidis supplied, at a position near that one end, into the first flow portof another cylindrical vessel connected to the second flow port providedfor example at a position symmetrical with the first flow port of thefirst-mentioned cylindrical vessel with respect to the axis of thevessel. At least a remaining fluid is discharged from the third flowport provided at the other end of the cylindrical vessel after flowingthrough the interior of the cylindrical vessel. In this case, since thefourth flow port is provided near that other end of the vesselespecially at substantially the same position as the second flow port inthe circumferential direction, if a similar flow port is provided at theother end of the other cylindrical vessel, these two flow ports can beconnected so that the fluid is received from the connected flow portsand discharged from the above-mentioned third flow port. It is alsopossible to allow the fluid to flow into the vessel from the third flowport and to be discharged from the fourth flow port.

Thus, each of the cylindrical vessels has a plurality of flow ports atits inflow-side (one end) and a plurality of flow ports at itsdischarge-side (the other end) so that the inflow-side flow portssubstantially correspond in position to the discharge-side flow ports,respectively, in the circumferential direction. Consequently, aplurality of the cylindrical vessels can be connected to one another atthe inflow-sides and the discharge-sides. Of the plurality ofcylindrical vessels connected in the above manner, each of those vesselslocated at the end may be provided with at least two flow ports at whichit is connected with the adjoining vessel and also with a third flowport at a position different from the above-mentioned two flow ports sothat the fluid may be supplied or discharged therefrom.

The apparatus for processing fluid of the present invention comprises aplurality of cylindrical vessels each provided with flow ports on theouter peripheral surfaces near both ends thereof, respectively, andhaving a plurality of separating elements disposed therein and isconstructed such that the cylindrical vessels are arranged substantiallyparallel to one another with the flow ports of each adjoining vesselsfacing to and connected to each other. Consequently, no manifold isrequired for connecting the flow ports and as a result, it is possibleto dispense with the connecting operation by manifolds. Further, sinceno manifold is provided at the end (bottom surface) of each vessel, itis possible to open the bottom surface of the end portion of the vesselin a simple manner at the time of replacement of the separating elementsthereby facilitating the periodical replacement of the separatingelements of the apparatus. Further, since the cylindrical vessels arepiled one above another, the use of frames which has conventionally beenrequired for placing the cylindrical vessels thereon is no longernecessary and the frame fabricating operation can be eliminated.

One mode of the method for producing separated fluid of the presentinvention is a method comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to beprocessed into the fluid processing apparatus for processing fluiddescribed above; and reducing the amount of a component mixed ordissolved in said fluid.

Another mode of the method for producing separated fluid of the presentinvention is a method comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to beprocessed into the fluid processing apparatus for processing fluiddescribed above; and enriching a component mixed or dissolved in saidfluid.

The method for producing separated fluid of the present invention iscapable of minimizing the reduction of productivity due to the loweringof the availability factor following the pressure loss arising from theuse of manifolds or replacement of the separating elements, by using anapparatus for processing fluid comprising a plurality of unitary modulesconnected together through flow ports.

Still another mode of the cylindrical vessel of the present invention isa cylindrical vessel having a permeable membrane dividing the interiorof said vessel into a low-pressure side space and a high-pressure sidespace, a low-pressure side flow port connected to said low-pressure sidespace and a plurality of high-pressure flow ports formed on the outerperipheral surface of said vessel at positions near both ends thereof,respectively, and connected to said high-pressure side space, at leasttwo of said flow ports near one end of said vessel substantiallycorrespond, in position, to the counterpart thereof near the other endof said vessel in the circumferential direction.

Still another mode of the apparatus for processing fluid of the presentinvention is an apparatus for processing fluid provided with a pluralityof the cylindrical vessels described above which are connected togethersuch that the high-pressure side spaces of said vessels join togetherthrough the corresponding high-pressure side flow ports near both endsthereof.

Still another mode of the method for producing separated fluid is amethod comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to be processed into thefluid processing apparatus described above from the high-pressure sideflow port of the cylindrical vessel and collecting separated fluidseparated by said permeable membrane through said low-pressure side flowport.

Still another mode of the method for producing separated fluid of thepresent invention is a method comprising the steps of: supplying fluidto be processed into the fluid processing apparatus described abovethrough the high-pressure side flow port on one end of the cylindricalvessel, separating a part of said fluid by said permeable membrane andcollecting a part of said fluid remained in the high-pressure side spacefrom said high-pressure side flow port on the other end of saidcylindrical vessel.

One mode of the fluid processing method of the present invention is amethod using a fluid processing apparatus comprising a plurality ofunitary modules each in the form of a cylindrical vessel provided withfluid processing elements therein, and a first and a second flow port onthe outer peripheral surface thereof at a position near one end of saidvessel and also provided with a third and a fourth flow port on theouter peripheral surface thereof at a position near the other end ofsaid vessel so as to substantially correspond, in position, to saidfirst and second flow ports, respectively, in the circumferentialdirection, said method comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to beprocessed into one of said cylindrical vessel through said first flowport thereby allowing a part of said fluid to flow into the flow port ofanother cylindrical vessel through said second flow port; discharging atleast a part of the remaining said fluid through said third flow port ofsaid cylindrical vessel after processing it by said fluid processingmeans within said vessel; and causing fluid to be processed suppliedinto said cylindrical vessel through said fourth flow port from the flowport of another cylindrical vessel to be discharged through said thirdflow port via the interior of said cylindrical vessel to thereby obtaina processed fluid.

Another mode of the fluid processing method of the present invention isa method using apparatus comprising a plurality of unitary modules eachin the form of a cylindrical vessel provided with fluid processingelements therein, and a first and a second flow port on the outerperipheral surface thereof at a position near one end of said vessel andalso provided with a third and a fourth flow port on the outerperipheral surface thereof at a position near the other end of saidvessel so as to substantially correspond, in position, to said first andsecond flow ports, respectively, in the circumferential direction, saidmethod comprising the steps of: supplying fluid to be processed into oneof said cylindrical vessels through said first flow port therebyallowing a part of said fluid to flow into the flow port of anothercylindrical vessel through said second flow port; discharging at least apart of the remaining part of said fluid through said fourth flow portof said cylindrical vessel after processing it by said fluid processingmeans within said vessel; and causing fluid to be processed suppliedinto said cylindrical vessel through said third flow port from the flowport of another cylindrical vessel to be discharged through said fourthflow port via the interior of said cylindrical vessel to thereby obtaina processed fluid.

Still another mode of the cylindrical vessel of the present invention isa cylindrical vessel provided with first, second and third flow ports onthe outer peripheral surface thereof such that said first flow port isprovided at a position near one end of said cylindrical vessel, saidsecond flow port is provided at a position near the other end of saidcylindrical vessel so as to correspond, in position, to said first flowport in the circumferential direction and said third flow port isprovided at a position not corresponding to said first and second flowports in the circumferential direction of said vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus for processing fluid according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are side views of the apparatus for processing fluidshown in FIG. 1, the views illustrating different modes of theapparatus, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an apparatus for processing fluid according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are side views of the apparatus for processing fluidshown in FIG. 3, the views illustrating different modes of theapparatus, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an apparatus for processing fluid according tostill another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an apparatus for processing fluid according tofurther another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic external view of a unitary module for use with aconventional fluid processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a conventional fluid processingapparatus.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for processingfluid according to a still further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10(A) is a side view of one end of each of unitary modules of theapparatus shown in FIG. 9 and

FIG. 10(B) is a front view of the same.

Note that the symbols in the drawings represent the following:

    ______________________________________                                        1:      Cylindricalvessel,                                                                           2:      Separatingelement                                10: Unitary module  15: Liquid transport pipe                                 15a: (Cross) connecting pipe                                                  15b: (Linear) connecting pipe                                                 32, 34: Flow ports                                                            40: Base   41: Belt                                                           42: O-ring                                                                    46: Supply pipe  47: Discharge pipe                                           45: Flat flange                                                             ______________________________________                                    

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an apparatus for processing fluid according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

This fluid processing apparatus comprises a plurality of unitary modules10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 which are laid one above another in substantiallyparallel relationships with one another with both ends thereof joinedtogether. Each of the unitary modules 10 is in the form of a cylindricalvessel 1 and has both end portions thereof made larger in diameter thanthe intermediate portion as a main body portion thereof. Further, insidethe unitary module 10, there are situated a plurality of separatingelements 2 arranged in series with one another. On the outer peripheralsurfaces of the larger-diameter end portions of the unitary module thereare provided two pairs of vertically opposing flow ports 32-11, 32-12and flow ports 34-11, 34-12, respectively, situated symmetrically (Inthe case where the number of the flow ports is two, as shown in theschematic, they are situated at vertically opposing positions), withrespect to the axis of the vessel so as to slightly projecting outsidefrom the outer peripheral thus constructed surfaces.

As the separating element 2 situated in the cylindrical vessel 1, aknown one may be used and usually, it is one formed by spirally windinga permeable membrane around a central pipe with a spacer betweensuccessive turns of the membrane.

The plurality of unitary modules 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 thus constructedare arranged horizontally one above another in sequence through spacers44 and sealing members (not shown) such as O-rings in such a manner thatboth ends of the lowest unitary module (10-1) are laid on a base plate40 and the flow ports of the adjoining vessels on both ends thereof areconnected together, respectively. Further, belts 41 are passed aroundboth end portions of the piled unitary modules, respectively, which arefastened to flanges 45, 45 projecting from the side surfaces of the baseplate 40 with bolts and nuts.

Where the plurality of unitary modules 10 are piled and fastened withthe belts 41, they may be fastened every single row as shown in FIG.2(A) or every plurality of rows as shown in FIG. 2 (B). The fasteningmeans is not limited to the belts and so it is of course possible to useother means such as a combination of elongated bolts and nuts.

The flow of fluid through the above-described arrangement is as follows:

When when fluid to be processed is supplied in the direction of thearrow from the inflow-side flow port 32-11 of the first cylindricalvessel 10-1 via the supply pipe 46. Part of the fluid flows into thesecond cylindrical vessel 10-2 from the inflow-side flow ports 32-12through the inflow-side flow port 32-21 connected thereto and theremaining part of the fluid flows through the first cylindrical vessel10-1. It is processed by all of the separating elements 2 until it isdischarged from the discharge-side flow port 34-11. The fluid thatentered the second cylindrical vessel 10-2 is further diverged and apart thereof flows into the third cylindrical vessel from the secondinflow-side flow port 32-22 through the inflow-side flow port 32-31connected thereto so as to be processed by the separating elements 2 andthen returns to the second cylindrical vessel from the discharge-sideflow port 34-31 through the second discharge-side flow port 34-22connected thereto. The fluid that flowed through the second cylindricalvessel while it was processed by the separating elements returns to thefirst cylindrical vessel from the second discharge-side flow port 34-21via the first discharge-side flow port 34-12 so as to be finallydischarged from the discharge-side flow port 34-11 as it is.

In the above arrangement, the circumferential position of the flow port32-11 connected to the supply pipe 46 of the first cylindrical vessel10-1 and that of the flow port 34-11 connected to the discharge pipe 47are not always required to coincide with each other.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus for processing fluid in the instant embodiment differsfrom the above-described embodiment with respect to the point thatunlike the previous embodiment, the flow ports 32 and 34 formed on theouter peripheral surfaces of both end portions of the cylindrical vessel1 do not project outside the peripheral surfaces. Thus, by forming theflow ports 32 and 34 just on the wall of the vessel, the spaces 44 canbe dispensed with. Further, in order to stabilize the piled-upcylindrical vessels, the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends ofadjoining cylindrical vessels which come into contact with each otherare made substantially flat.

In the instant embodiment, too, where the cylindrical vessels 1 piledone above another in a plurality of stages are fastened together bymeans of the belts 41 at both ends thereof, respectively, the vesselsmay be fastened every one row as shown in FIG. 4(A) or every pluralityof rows as shown in FIG. 4(B).

The fluid processing apparatus according to the embodiments is generallyconstructed such that the liquid supply pipe 46 is connected to thelower-side flow port 32 of the lowermost unitary module 10 and thedischarge pipe 47 is connected to the flow port 34. Further, theupper-side flow ports 32 and 34 of the uppermost unitary module areplugged up by stoppers, respectively. Of course, there is a case wherethe uppermost and lowermost unitary modules 10 can be devoid of any flowports on the side where they are not connected to other unitary modules(for example, the uppermost unitary module in FIG. 3) or a case where itis enough for each of them to have only one flow port (for example, theuppermost and lowermost unitary modules in FIG. 5).

The supply pipe 46 and discharge pipe 47 are not always required to beconnected to the flow ports 32 and 34 on the lower-side of the lowermostunitary module 10 as shown in FIG. 1. For example, as in the case of theembodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the discharge pipe 47 may be mountedto the flow port 34 on the upper-side of the uppermost unitary module 10so that the discharge pipe 47 becomes diagonal with the supply pipe 46provided on the lowermost unitary module 10. The flow of the fluid inthat case will be such that the direction of flow of the fluid in thedischarge-side flow port in the FIG. 1 embodiment is reversed.Therefore, all the fluid passes through the connected portions among thecylindrical vessels twice and through the vessels once thereby makingthe resistance of the fluid uniform. Thus, by arranging the supply pipe46 and the discharge pipe 47 in diagonal relationship with each other,it is possible to make uniform the distribution of the pressure loss ofthe fluid within the processing apparatus to thereby enable evendistribution of the fluid. Further, with this structure containing theplurality of cylindrical vessels, those located at the upper and lower-sides (i.e., 10-1 and 10-3) may well have at least one flow port whichconnects the supply pipe 46 or the discharge pipe 47. If the position ofsuch third flow ports in the circumferential direction differs from thatof the flow port to be connected to the adjoining vessel, both of theupper and lower-side vessels may have the same length as other vesselswithout situating adjoining vessels far away from each other.

Fluid separation using the fluid processing apparatus of theabove-mentioned embodiments is performed by supplying the fluid to beprocessed under pressure from the supply pipe 46. The pressurized fluidis distributed into each of the unitary modules 10 via the connectedportions among the flow ports 32, 32. The fluid thus distributed hasunnecessary components mixed or dissolved therein separated therefrom bythe separating elements 2 and the low-pressure fluid (fresh water in thecase of a seawater desalinating apparatus) after such separation isdischarged from the discharge pipe 13 via the central pipe 11 while theconcentrated fluid is discharged from the discharge pipe 47 via theconnecting portions among the flow ports 34, 34.

According to the above-described fluid processing apparatus of thepresent embodiment, the plurality of unitary modules 10 are piled oneabove another with the lower unitary modules directly supporting theupper unitary modules, respectively, so that support frames which havebeen used for mounting the unitary modules of the conventional fluidprocessing apparatus are no longer required. Further, as the flow ports32 and 34 are facing to, and directly connected to each other,respectively, no manifolds are required. Even where a manifold has to beused, it is used only for connecting together the discharge pipes 13 fordischarging the low-pressure fluid. Thus, since a manifold is used onlyat one side end of each of the unitary modules 10, it is not necessaryto dismantle and remove the manifold at the time of periodic replacementof the separating elements.

It should be noted that although in the above-described embodiment, eachof the unitary modules have two flow ports on both ends thereof, it maybe provided with any number of circulating ports. For example, it ispreferable that the four flow ports of each of the unitary modules be soformed as to open in directions intersecting at right angles to the axisof each unitary module. It is also preferred that the unitary modulesare piled one above another as shown in FIG. 2(B) or 4(B) so that theyare connected together not only vertically but also horizontally. Thispreferred embodiment further reduces the pressure loss in the fluidprocessing apparatus.

Further, it is not necessary that each unitary module should have thesame number of flow ports on both ends thereof. For example, in FIG. 5,the outermost vessel which is connected with the inlet port or dischargeport for the fluid may be provided at one end thereof with flow portslarger in number (for example, two or three) than those at the other endthereof.

Accordingly, the unitary modules 10 are directly supported from below sothat support frames which have conventionally been used substantiallyare substantially not required. Further, as the unitary modules areconnected to each other with the flow ports 32 and 34 aligned with eachother, no manifold is required. Even if a manifold is used, it is onlyused for connecting the discharge pipes 13 for discharging alow-pressure fluid. Thus, any such manifold is used only on one side endof each unitary module 10 so that periodic replacement of separatingelements is facilitated.

It should be noted that although in the above-described embodimentsbolts 38 and nuts 39 are used for fastening a plurality of unitarymodules 10, the present invention is not limited thereto and other meanssuch as passing of belts around both ends of the unitary module assemblymay be used.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown an apparatus for processing fluidaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention.

This apparatus for processing fluid includes a plurality of unitarymodules 10 arranged horizontally and vertically in parallelrelationships with one another. Further, between both ends of the upperand lower rows of the unitary modules 10 there are sandwiched fluidtransport pipes 15, 15, respectively, which run perpendicularly acrossthe rows of unitary modules. Each of the transport pipes 15 comprisescombinations of cross-connecting pipes 15a and linear connecting pipes15b.

Each of the unitary modules 10, which are cylindrical vessels 1,contains therein a plurality of separating elements 2 in series and withflow ports 32 and 34 near both end portions, respectively, which projectoutwardly of the outer peripheral surfaces of both end portions. Theunitary modules 10 arranged vertically in two rows have the flow ports32 and 34 thereof aligned with one another, respectively, so that theflow ports 32, 32 and 34, 34 are connected together by means ofcross-connecting pipes 15a, 15a which are then connected together bymeans of linear connecting pipes 15b.

For the separating elements 2 situated in each of the cylindricalvessels 1, the known ones may be used and generally, each of theseparating elements 2 comprises a permeable membrane wound around acentral pipe with a spacer between successive turns of the membrane.

As shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), the vertically arranged unitarymodules 10, 10 have their flow ports 32, 32 opposite to each other andconnected together by means of the cross-connecting pipe 15a. The modeof connection of the flow ports 32, 32 and the cross-connecting pipe 15ais such that the sides of the outer peripheral surfaces of the unitarymodules 10, 10 at which the flow ports 32, 32 are provided are made flatso as to intersect at substantially right angles with the circulatingdirection of the fluid to be processed while both end faces of theconnecting pipe 15a are attached with flat flanges 48, respectively, sothat the flattened portion around each of the flow ports 32 and each offlat flanges 48 are connected on face-to-face basis through an O-ring42.

Further, a spacer 35 is interposed between both adjoining ends of theunitary modules 10, 10 and other spacers 36, 36 and angular members 37,37 are respectively applied to the outer sides of the above-mentionedadjoining ends, so that the unitary modules 10, 10 are held fixed byfastening bolts 38 interposed between the angular members 37, 37 bymeans of nuts 39.

The connection on face-to-face basis and fastening structure between theflow port 32 and the connecting pipe 15a also apply to a case with theflow ports 34, 34 at the opposite side ends of the unitary modules 10,10.

Where the flow port and connecting pipe are surface-connected asdescribed above, even when the central axis of the flow port and that ofthe connecting pipe do not coincide with each other due to amanufacturing error of the unitary module or an assembling error of theapparatus for processing fluid, they can be connected without anytrouble as far as such inconformity is within the range of wideness ofthe flattened portions of the two. In this case, the connection of theflow port and the opening of the connecting pipe is made between the twoflat surfaces so that the central axes of the two may be shifted fromeach other in any direction within a plane intersecting at a right anglewith the axes. Any axial dislocation between the two may be compensatedfor within the range of sealing capacity of the sealing memberdetermined by the elastic deformation characteristic of the sealingmember. Thus, by using such a flat-to-flat connection, it is possible toreduce the flow resistance of the fluid to be processed by enlarging thediameter of the flow port or the opening of the connecting pipe therebyallowing a larger amount of the fluid to be processed and also toenlarge the range of compensation of the dislocation between the centralaxes of the flow port and the connecting pipe.

Further, although, in the above-described embodiment, the end surface ofthe flow port of each unitary module and the open end of the connectingpipe are connected flat-to-flat, both of them may be connected, forexample, in a manner of cylinder-like surface. This is accomplished insuch a manner that for example, the side surface of the unitary moduleis made circular and the open end surface of the connecting pipe isattached with a flange having a surface mated with the circular sidesurface of the unitary module so that both surfaces are connectedtogether through a sealing member.

However, in the above case, the dislocation between the axis of the flowport and the axis of the connecting pipe can be compensated for in theabove-described manner with respect to the axial component of thecircular surface but it is hard to be compensated for in a directionintersecting at right angles with the axes of the two. However, it iseasier to machine the end surface of the flow port of the unitary modulecircular than to machine it flat and it is satisfactory, in many cases,because the axial dislocation of the unitary module mainly due to themanufacturing error of the unitary module can be compensated for by thismethod.

Further, there may be also a method in which a joint of complicatedstructure is embedded in the flow port of the unitary module and such ajoint is provided in the opening of the connecting pipe therebyconnecting the flow port and the connecting pipe but this method has thedisadvantage that the compensation range for the dislocation between theaxes of the flow port and the connecting pipe is small, and the diameterof the flow port can not be made large due to the greater cost of alarge-diameter joint, which results in increasing the flow resistance ofthe fluid. Furthermore, in order to embed such joint in the flow port, asealing structure is needed for the joint-embedding portion resulting inmaking the entire module extremely complicated.

The separating process using the apparatus for processing fluid of thepresent embodiment described above is performed by supplying apressurized unprocessed fluid into the apparatus from one of the fluidtransport pipes 15 as indicated by the arrow X. The pressurized fluid isthen distributed into each of the unitary modules 10 through theconnected portion of the flow ports 32, 32. This fluid is filtered ineach unitary module by the separating elements 2 so that any unnecessaryor effective component mixed or dissolved in the fluid is separated,then the separated fluid is discharged from the discharge pipe 13 viathe central pipe 11 and the separated concentrated fluid is dischargedin the direction of the arrow Y from the other fluid transport pipe 15via the connected portion of the flow ports 34, 34.

Industrial Applicability

The apparatus for processing fluid of the present invention can be usedas, besides a seawater desalination apparatus, a brackish waterdesalination apparatus or system, a river water or city waterpurification apparatus, an apparatus for reducing or removingunnecessary components in a fluid and an effective componentconcentration apparatus such as a concentration apparatus for drinkssuch as juices, soups or the like or the essence of silkworm chrysalidesfor a bait of fishing. Further, it is also used as an oxygen enrichingor reduction apparatus, an apparatus for removing dust in the air or anapparatus for removing unnecessary components in a gas.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for processing fluid comprising a plurality ofunitary modules arranged substantially parallel to one another; a flowport defined on the outer peripheral surface of each of said unitarymodules at positions near each end, and a separating element arrangedwithin each of said unitary modules, wherein said unitary modules areassembled to from said fluid processing apparatus in such a way thatflow ports of adjoining unitary modules are facing toward and connectedto each other, and wherein at least one of said unitary modules isfurther provided with a retentate fluid discharge port, and each saidplurality of modules is provided with a permeate discharge port.
 2. Theapparatus for processing fluid according to claim 1, wherein each ofsaid separating elements is formed such that a permeable membrane isspirally wound around a tubular member with a spacer inbetween.
 3. Anapparatus for processing fluid comprising a plurality of unitarymodules; a plurality of separating elements mounted within each of saidunitary modules and a plurality of flow ports formed on the outerperipheral surface of each of said unitary modules at positions neareach end of said modules, wherein said unitary modules are arrangedsubstantially parallel to one another with said flow ports of at leastone of the modules facing to those of an adjacent module and whereinfluid transport pipes extending between said unitary modules join withthe flow ports near both ends of at least some of said unitary modules,respectively, and said flow ports and said fluid transport pipes areconnected on face-to-face basis with one another.
 4. The apparatus forprocessing fluid according to claim 3, wherein each of said separatingelements is formed such that a permeable membrane is spirally woundaround a tubular member with a spacer inbetween.
 5. The apparatus forprocessing fluid according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a fluid transportpipe arranged near one end of said unitary modules serves as a supplypipe and a fluid transport pipe arranged near the other end of saidunitary modules serves as a discharge pipe.
 6. A method for producingseparated fluid comprising the steps of:supplying fluid to be processedinto the apparatus for processing fluid described in claims 1 or 3; andreducing the amount of a component mixed or dissolved in said fluid. 7.A method for producing separated fluid comprising the steps of:supplyingfluid to be processed into the apparatus for processing fluid describedin claims 1 or 3; and enriching a component mixed or dissolved in saidfluid.
 8. A unitary module adapted for use in an apparatus forprocessing fluid, said module comprising a permeable membrane dividingthe interior of said module into a low-pressure side space and ahigh-pressure side space, a low-pressure side flow port connected tosaid low-pressure side space and a plurality of high-pressure side flowports formed on the outer peripheral surface of said module at positionsnear both ends thereof, respectively, and connected to saidhigh-pressure side space, wherein at least two of said high-pressureside flow ports near one end of said module substantially correspond, inposition, to the counterpart thereof near the other end of said modulein the circumferential direction.
 9. The unitary module according toclaim 8, wherein said permeable membrane is detachable from the body ofsaid unitary module.
 10. An apparatus for processing fluid provided witha plurality of the unitary modules described in claim 8 or 9 which areconnected together such that the high-pressure side spaces of saidmodules join together through the corresponding high-pressure side flowports near both ends thereof.
 11. A method for producing separated fluidcomprising the steps of: supplying fluid to be processed into theapparatus for processing fluid described in claim 10 from thehigh-pressure side flow port of said unitary module and collectingseparated fluid separated by said permeable membrane through saidlow-pressure side flow port.
 12. A method for producing separated fluidcomprising the steps of:supplying fluid to be processed into theapparatus for processing fluid described in claim 10 through thehigh-pressure side flow port on one end of one of the unitary modules,separating a part of said fluid by said permeable membrane andcollecting a part of said fluid remaining in the high-pressure sidespace from said high-pressure side flow port on the other end of saidunitary module.
 13. A fluid processing method using an apparatus forprocessing fluid comprising a plurality of unitary modules each in theform of a cylindrical vessels provided with fluid processing meanstherein, and each having a first and a second flow port on the outerperipheral surface of said vessels at a position near one end of saidvessels and each also being provided with a third and a fourth flow porton the outer peripheral surface of said vessels at a position near theother end of said vessels so as to substantially correspond, inposition, to said first and second flow ports, respectively, in thecircumferential direction, said method comprising the steps of:supplyingfluid to be processed into one of said cylindrical vessels through saidfirst flow port thereby allowing a part of said fluid to flow into theflow port of another cylindrical vessels through said second flow port;discharging at least a part of the remaining part of said fluid throughsaid third flow port of said cylindrical vessels after processing it bysaid fluid processing means within said vessels; and causing fluid to besupplied into said cylindrical vessels through said fourth flow portfrom the flow port of another cylindrical vessels to be dischargedthrough said third flow port via the interior of said cylindricalvessels to thereby obtain a processed fluid.
 14. A fluid processingmethod using an apparatus for processing fluid comprising a plurality ofunitary modules each in the form of a cylindrical vessel provided withfluid processing means therein, and each having a first and a secondflow port on the outer peripheral surface of said vessel at a positionnear one end of said vessel and each also being provided with a thirdand a fourth flow port on the outer peripheral surface of said vessel ata position near the other end of said vessel so as to substantiallycorrespond, in position, to said first and second flow ports,respectively, in the circumferential direction, said method comprisingthe steps of:supplying fluid to be processed into one of saidcylindrical vessels through said first flow port thereby allowing a partof said fluid to flow into the flow port of another cylindrical vesselthrough said second flow port; discharging at least a part of theremaining part of said fluid through said fourth flow port of saidcylindrical vessel after processing it by said fluid processing meanswithin said vessel; and causing fluid to be processed supplied into saidcylindrical vessel through said third flow port from the flow port ofanother cylindrical vessel to be discharged through said fourth flowport via the interior of said cylindrical vessel to thereby obtain aprocessed fluid.
 15. The fluid processing method according to claim 13or 14, wherein said fluid processing means comprises a permeablemembrane and said processed fluid comprises a fluid which has passedsaid permeable membrane.